June 2013
Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

The George Harrison Garden officially opened

Srila Prabhupada:

Here at Bhaktivedanta Manor
the place is the nicest possible.
It is calm and quiet and the
village is neat and clean. I am
daily walking in the morning
with all devotees and I am
taking the usual class from 7-8
am. Very respectable gentlemen
are coming in the evening. Last
night George Harrison came. He
has become a great supporter of
our movementâ&#x20AC;ŚSo arrangement
is going on here for installing the
deity on Janmastami.
19th July 1973,
at Bhaktivedanta Manor
One of the most memorable events
in many years took place during the
Ramanavami festival. The festive Radha
Krishna deities and Rama Shila were
carried ceremoniously on a swan boat
across the beautifully decorated Manor
lake. A smaller boat, with brahmacaris
(monks) aboard singing kirtan, was
rowing behind in leisurely pursuit.
The lake was filled with fountains,
ribbons and flags. There were floating
candles, flower offerings made to Their
Lordships and the offering of a 108 lamp
arati lamp.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a wonderful event and I look
forward to similar ...continued on page 6

The George Harrison Memorial Garden
was officially opened on Saturday
25th May, with Olivia Harrison and
friends, local faith leaders, devotees and
television presenters Monty Don and
Peter Owen-Jones.
When George passed away on 29th
November 2001, the Manor resolved
to create a quiet garden in his memory.
The shady woodland dell behind the
main building was chosen because of

Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fondness for the site. The
Garden is a place set aside for prayer
and contemplation to commemorate
the friendship between George and the
devotees.
The opening began with a sitar recital,
played from the centre of the garden.
The ambiance from the recital brought
calm to the guests facilitating a deeper
connection with the garden.
...continued on page 4

A lake filled with magic

Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter

June 2013

ISKCON Festivals UK

In May ISKCON Festivals UK worked with the Manor’s book distribution party,
Food for All and local devotee groups to hold festivals in Reading, Bracknell and
Slough.
In each town around 100 people attended the colourful introductory experience to
the philosophy and lifestyle of Krishna consciousness.

One of the highlights during this year's celebrations marking
the Appearance Day of Lord Nrsimhadev was a delightful
play by the children of the Manor School.

Local member Amala Manjari dasi said, "we wanted a public festival like this for a
long time, it was a dream come true to see all the new people and devotees together
enjoying the event so much."
Visit www.harekrishnafestivals.com for updates on upcoming festivals.

Ramadevi dasi, a senior disciple of Srila
Prabhupada, is training devotees to help
her make a special new dress for Sri
Sri Radha Gokulananda, in time for the
40th Anniversary Vaishnava Community
Festival.
She has trained nearly 30 devotees to
sew and decoratively embroider the
cloth, and is working every day from
10am till 5pm at Bhaktivedanta Manor.
The training sessions are from 10am- 12
noon.
“We need devotees to come forward and
spend just 2- 3 hours at a time to help,
especially those who have been trained,”
Ramadevi requested. “ I really want to
help establish a real sense of community
with devotees working together to serve
the Deities in this way, an offering from
everyone: Something really special, nice
and beautiful. The happiness felt when
all the devotees work together cannot be
underestimated. This is an activity in the
spiritual sky, something eternal.”
Ramadevi learnt how to sew from a
very young age and her first opportunity
to use her skills within ISKCON was
when Srila Prabhupada first came to
Edinburgh.
If you would like to take part, please
contact Ramadevi on: 07587450298

On Friday 15th March, the Secretary
of State for Education, Michael Gove,
visited the Krishna Avanti School in
Leicester. He cut a ribbon outside
Evington Hall and unveiled a plaque,
signifying the School's official opening.
The event was attended by faith and
business leaders from around the country,
and it was covered by local media.
The children were excited to have their
school officially opened and they all got
to meet and speak with Michael Gove.
“You've got parents that are very keen
to get their children in here, it's oversubscribed, that's a reflection of the
quality of the school,” said Gove.
The visit was attended by many
community leaders, including the
Bishop of Leicester, The Lord Mayor,
representatives of the City and County
Council and many friends from the
business community.

Page 3

soul’s spiritual aim becomes resolute.
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‘That is all I’m living for, Your love and nothing
chosen lyrics relate to the
more.’ That Is All
the eight stages
Bhaktivedanta
Manor of
Newsletter
June 2013
unfolding love for God,
2 ‘I look for the pure in heart’
the time of day, and the
Owen Jones, presenter of the BBC
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journeys.
tour of the garden began. As the guests meditation as well as inspiration.”
Monty Don, presenter of the BBC’s arrived at each step, the words of the A special thanks to Sripati das, Ranchor
‘Gardeners’ World’ series then spoke song in which George had expressed Prime and Richard Sneesby, who worked
about being often approached for the related sentiments, were read by with Gauri das over many years to see
the garden to completion.
solutions to the challenges faced in representatives of different faiths.
gardening, in answer to which he When the journey was completed Peter

The George Harrison Garden officially opened

George’s Garden is
designed on an octagon,
the shape that brings good
fortune, with pathways
that pass through each of
its eight points. The
themes these eight points
represent encourage
pilgrims to reflect on the
journey to Krishna
through the medium of
George’s lyrics. The
chosen lyrics relate to the
the eight stages of
unfolding love for God,
the time of day, and the
eight couplets of the Hare
Krishna Mantra.
Each couplet of the
Hare Krishna Mantra
corresponds to a stage of
the eightfold journey to
spiritual perfection. These
stages were expressed by
Sri Caitanya in the eight
verses of his Siksastakam.
Together they form the
eight petals of the spiritual
realm, at whose centre
dwells Krishna, embodied
in the sound of OM at the
centre of the garden .

Page 4

4 ‘He whose sweetness flows’
Delight / Midday / Hare Hare
The result of spiritual association, purification and
devotion is the experience of Krishna, the reservoir
of pleasure.
‘He whose sweetness flows / To anyone of those
That cares to look His way.’ Jai Sri Krishna
3 ‘Your love and nothing more’
Resolve / Forenoon / Krishna Krishna
By letting go of material attachments the
soul’s spiritual aim becomes resolute.
‘That is all I’m living for, Your love and nothing
more.’ That Is All
2 ‘I look for the pure in heart’
Spiritual Company / Morning / Hare Krishna
When awakened by faith the soul seeks the
company of seers on the path and with their help
clears lust, anger, greed and envy from the heart.
‘I look for the pure of heart / And the ones who have made
a start / But, Lord there are just a few / Who bow before You,
/ In silence they pray, / Oh how they pray for the day
/ the World gets round.’
The Day the World Gets Round

1 ‘Awaken and see’
Faith / End of the Night / Hare Krishna
After lifetimes in slumber, the eternal soul finds faith and
awakens her potential.
‘By chanting the names of the Lord you’ll be free / The Lord is
awaiting on you all to awaken and see.’ Waiting On You All

8 ‘I’m so happy I found y
Union / Night / Hare Hare
Krishna reveals himself to the
who at last feels the joy of re
beloved
‘It took a long, long, long time
I found you / Now I love you.’

7 ‘I really want to be with you’
Longing / Late evening / Rama Rama
Ecstatic longing for Krishna brings tears
and shivering. Sometimes only
unconsciousness can sooth the pangs of the
heart.
‘I really want to see you / Really want to be with
you / Really want to see you lord / But it takes so
long, my lord.’

you’

My Sweet Lord

e soul rapt in love,
eunion with the
/ Now I’m so happy
Long, Long, Long

5 ‘You are the breath of life’
Attachment / Afternoon / Hare Rama
The souls wants nothing other than Krishna,
and life without Krishna appears empty.
‘You send the rain and bring the sun / You
stand alone and speak the truth / You
are the breath of life itself / You are the
One.’ Life Itself
6 ‘My sweet lord’
Love / Evening / Hare Rama
The heart melts as divine love
overflows from the soul like honey.
‘My sweet lord (Alleluia) / Hm, my
lord (Alleluia).’ My Sweet Lord
7 ‘I really want to be with you’
Longing / Late evening / Rama Rama
Ecstatic longing for Krishna brings tears
and shivering. Sometimes only
unconsciousness can sooth the pangs of the
heart.
‘I really want to see you / Really want to be with
you / Really want to see you lord / But it takes so
long, my lord.’

you’

My Sweet Lord

e soul rapt in love,
eunion with the
/ Now I’m so happy
Long, Long, Long

Page 5

Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter

Flowers to inspire

With a view to fulfilling Srila
Prabhupada’s vision of developing the
Manor into a replica of Vrindavan, the
Manor garden team, headed by Uddhava
das, work to create a beautiful atmosphere
all around the Manor property.
Dwarka Puri das, Vrajnath das, Niladri
Krishna das and Douglas have been
beautifying the area near the main
building reaching from the side of the
theatre, the back of the temple room and
cottage. Every spring and summer guests
are greeted with an array of hanging
baskets, flower pouches and troughs
with a wide range of flowers including
geraniums, floriferous, pansies, fuchsias
and a large variety of petunias.

June 2013

Temple to see the flower displays. They
are wonderful”. Indeed, guests are joyful
and inspired to develop something
similar in their own gardens.”
“This area is adorned with exotic
tropical plants”, explained Vrajnath das
standing in the square enclosure outside
the back of the temple room. “This
central covered area can be used for
summer yajnas.”

“We are trying to bring out the best of
the English summer,” explained Dwarka
Puri das, “The beauty of the flowers
gives life, spirit and joy to the devotees
and guests. It will uplift everyone’s
consciousness.”
“Recently I overheard a local talking
to another local,” added Douglas, “he
said: “you must go to the Bhaktivedanta

Bhakta Terry

On Sunday 2nd June Bhakta Terry
unfortunately lost his battle with
cancer. Working in the Manor’s
Garden department, he was a familiar
face on the grounds and being a
practical man he also helped with a
variety of maintenance projects. His
most high profile service, however,
was working as an integral part of the
Ratha Yatra team where for 25 years
he helped in festival in the UK and
continental Europe.

A Lake filled with magic
like that
continued from page 1... festivals
in the future,” explained Head Pujari
Gadadhara das. “The event was designed
to enhance people’s spiritual lives and
festival experience by using the natural
beauty of the Manor’s lake”.
Manor schoolteacher Moksha Laksmi’s
reaction to the spectacle epitomised the
thoughts of everyone present: “The boat
lila was the kind of scene I would like to
see passing by my eyes during my last
moments in life.”

Richard Harrington, MP for Watford and Mrs Harrington joined other special guests at the Ramanavami festival
including the Mayor of Harrow Cllr Nizam Ismail and the Mayor of Barnet Cllr Brian Schama

Page 6

Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter

June 2013

JANMASHTAMI 2013
Janmastami 2013 is soon
approaching and preparation are
already underway and Pandava
Sena have a new and exciting
production planned.

Krishna Chaitanya Patel also
regularly helps in creating the
backdrops for the Pandava Sena
tent: ‘We are doing really well as
the art group, and a lot of people
are coming down to help. There’s
so much enthusiasm, it’s insane!’
As well as setting the scene,
auditions have been taking
place to cast youth for once
again, a dramatic and touching
performance.

This year, many young youths are
already getting together every
week to put together an amazing
new show. This years show will
entail the journey of an old soul
who overcomes many difficulties
in his path before he finally turns
to self realisation and spirituality.

Krishna
Chaitanya
Patel
Age: 18
A-Levels
Student -

How did you find out about Psena?
I first found out about Psena in 2007 but I was
to young to join so I would always sneak into
the Psena Janmastami tents. But then in 2011
April time Abhishek prabhu invited me to go to
Jamming so i went and ever since i have been
taking part in Psena.

What did you like about the events?
Pandava Sena hope to make
this year special since it is the
auspicious occasion of the 40th
anniversary of the installation of
Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda’s.
As exams are approaching an
end, there will be countless
opportunities for more youth to
get involved in drawing, painting,
setting up and acting for the
pleasure of Their Lordships.

The beginning stages of the
preparations involves an artistic
hand and eye, where specially
For more details and to see videos
crafted backdrops are being
of previous trips visit www.psena.
made to set the scene in this
com
years production. Shyam
Dattani is currently involved
with the preparations and said:
‘Janmastami preparation is
amazing- with so many innovative
and interesting projects that youth
can get involved in; from acting,
to painting. There’s something
for everyone! It’s a really exciting
opportunity for youth to serve with
each other and help to celebrate
Radha Gokulananda’s 40th
Anniversary.’

what i really like is that no matter who you are
you will always find good friends in psena its a
very welcoming youth group.

What do you do in Psena?
I am the camera man for harrow Jamming i record the programs and up load them to YouTube
and i also create promo vids for the Jamming. I
am really interested in art and animation and in
my spare time i like to make movies.

Page 7

Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter

June 2013

Govindas opens in Nottingham

A new branch of Govindas Restaurant has
opened its doors at 7-9 Thurland Street in
Nottingham.
The head chef Sailendriya dasi explained
to the local media that “When it comes
to vegetarian cooking I am very Indianinspired. I want people to understand that
Indian food is glorious.”
We also have

world cuisine lunch

Documentary takes a
Leap forward

buffet and café, with daily specials,”
explained Sarvamangala dasi.“There’s a
wide selection of food for people of all
tastes. For example there is also cake and
samosas. We were also awarded 5 stars
by the Environmental Health and Food
Safety Officer” she explained.
Opening times:
11am - 6pm Monday - Saturday

New Ahimsa Products

10 Hour kirtans

Ahimsa slaughter-free milk have
expanded their repertoire of dairy
products. Plain yoghurt, raw milk, soft
cheese, haloumi cheese, paneer, ghee
and matki yoghurt are now available in
Radharani’s Bakery at the Manor and
via the Ahimsa website.

The congregational chanting of the
names of Lord Krishna is the cornerstone
of spiritual life and with this in mind,
there will be monthly 10 Hour Kirtans as
part of the 40th Anniversary celebrations
until Diwali this year.

www.ahimsamilk.org

Check the Manor’s website
Facebook page for more details.

and

The film documentary about ISKCON
called Leap received the State Quality
Award in Finland, given for high
quality production. Leap was screened
in Helsinki and at the Tarto Estonia
World Film Festival in March, to a
good response. It was filmed by Jouko
Aaltonen (pictured far left) and funded
largely by Winchester University.

Krishna Culture
European Tour

Festival

For the first year, The Krishna Culture
Festival Tour will be taking place in
Europe. The tour has taken young
devotees all across America, Canada
and Mexico for 18 years, taking part
in Rathayatras, Cultural Festivals,
Kirtan events, service to temples and
unforgettable experiences. Join them
for 34 days, 11 countries and many
festivals!
www.krishna.com/bustour